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What is the Best Guidebook for Ireland?
Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal, Ireland
The internet is wonderful and extremely helpful, but I still like to use travel books to begin planning my trips. The internet is the best place to find out about accommodations, but guidebooks do a better job detailing Irish sights. All guidebooks have strengths and weaknesses, these are some good ones with brief comments about each.
Tips for Travel in Ireland: How To Plan A Trip to Ireland
Tips for Travel in Ireland: Where to Stay in Ireland
Updated Guidebooks For 2021
Fodor’s Ireland – This was the best of the bunch for 2017 after being updated was the best of 2020, and again is the best for 2021 after being updated again. Historically I have not really been impressed by Fodor’s Ireland, but the last four editions (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021) have been good books. Many of the other new guidebooks do not include all areas of the island, but this one does a good job. If you are looking for one book to take with you to Ireland this is the one.
They also addressed a pet peeve of mine, listing only the English language place names in Gaeltacht regions (since English names do not appear on any signs). Fodor lists place names in Irish-speaking areas using the Irish language name (as it appears on signs) and in parenthesis gives the old English name. Most other books will tell you that the road sign gives the names in Irish but proceed to tell you about the place without using the Irish language name.
Lonely Planet Ireland – A good resource with a very popular following. I was excited to see a 2020 update after the really good 2018 guidebook. It includes all areas of the island, and has nice, expansive sections explaining the culture and history. The introductions to the different areas of the island are also very good. If you only use one guidebook, this is the one I would recommend. As always, I like that they include a lot of free sites that are interesting and off the more crowded tourist trail. This is more detailed and covers more territory than Fodor’s Essential Ireland. The only thing better about Fodor’s is it was updated for 2021.
Frommer’s Ireland – This is the original European guidebook. The main thing that makes this attractive is it is updated for 2020. Frommer’s is extensive and has some large color foldout maps. I was disappointed by the 2016 Complete Guide as it complained about road signs being in Irish because many maps don’t use the official names of towns, but then includes a map that also does not give you the official names of towns which exacerbates the problem!
For the updated edition, all of the negatives comments about the Irish language have been removed. One thing to note is that they are now inconsistent with place names (they have actually gone overboard with Irish language place-names this time). There are a couple of instances where the Irish language place-name is listed instead of the official place-name (they are both listed on road signs though). It is not the end of the world, but is good to know.
Rick Steves’ Ireland – I like Rick Steves’ books, but Ireland isn’t his best. It does seem like the books have gotten MUCH better the last three years. Unlike most guidebooks, this one does not cover everything (though to be fair it says that inside). The trade-off is that Rick Steves and Frommer are the only books that are updated yearly and it is well written. The sections of general information in this book are usually excellent, especially the “Planning Your Trip” section. I would say that these sections are amazing for a first time visitor but also useful for a returning visitor.
Thankfully I can say that I would recommend this guide-book, but only for a first time visitor and you are still better off with either of the books listed above. This book is excellent is you want to visit: Dublin, Kilkenny, The Ring of Kerry, Cork City and Waterford. Also, it is important to note that he recommends driving clockwise around the Ring of Kerry which is the opposite of every piece of local advice (including the signs that say residents only) that you should drive counter-clockwise. His advice puts you in a situation where you will have to negotiate full size motor coaches on roads that are not wide enough for both of you.
The Best of the Rest
These guidebooks are listed in the order in which I would recommend them to you.
The Rough Guide to Ireland — The 2015 edition is a good guidebook (this is the most recent edition). My only complaint is that it uses the Anglicized place names in the Gaeltacht and does not list the official names anywhere (which is all that is on signposts and probably all that is listed on your map). That could be confusing as the English name is often not similar, ex: An Clochán Liath = Dungloe.
Let’s Go Ireland – This was my Bible when I went to Ireland in 2000 & 2001. The writing was candid, clever and funny and I really loved reading it. Unfortunately, they never really updated it. This is the 2007 edition. If you’ve never been to Ireland before this is still a good read. There is a 2013 edition, but it isn’t as useful as the 2007 edition.
Cadogan Ireland – This is a wonderful book, but has not been updated since 2008. Even so, I love this book. It’s chock full of all kinds of places that no one else will tell you about (most of them free). I like to copy the pages for the areas that I am visiting and throw away the pages once I have already left the area. Even though it is now ten years old, it is still a great way to see some “hidden gems” that the other guidebooks do not mention. If you have been to Ireland before, I would highly recommend this book.
Now get planning!
I have given you my recommendations on guidebooks, and recommend that you take your favorite with you. I also have created a page dedicated solely to trip planning that contains tons of other links and suggestions.
Ireland is a wonderful, welcoming place for visitors. Enjoy planning your trip!
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